38-08-24 Looking Forward to a Ride in Stembottom's Machine

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN AND BILL IDELSON 

The Gooks are all dressed up and waiting for Fred and Ruthie Stembottom to drop by in their car and take them on a journey to near-by towns.

There will be the ritual ice-cream cone buying, (although there is a possibility of getting 'new flavors' orange or pineapple), the same route and the same talky-talk, no doubt.

Sade defends Fred and Ruthie as Vic and Rush complain about wearing nice clothes and joke and criticize Fred's slow driving and his other on-the-road faults.

SEE THE SCRIPT

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Sade won't let her men get away with criticizing the Stembottoms.  Ruthie is her pal 'til the end.

This is a rather slow-paced script but it has a certain charm.  It may remind you of 39-10-06 Double Feature in Hopewood, for it does share a similarity (although they aren't going to see any movies.)

44-05-18 Euncie's Piano Accident

STARRING: BERNARDINE FLYNN, DAVID WHITEHOUSE AND CLARENCE HARTZELL&

Sade arrives home bearing bad news: her niece Euncie has badly injured herself while practicing the piano! Russell seems interested in this news but Uncle Fletcher may or may not understand the importance of the situation.

SEE THE SCRIPT (part 1) (part 2)

_______________

Uncle Fletcher has something on his shoe and between his teeth - and feels that Sade needs to chill out!  At least, that's probably the way he feels.  It's hard to pinpoint Fletcher's motives and fragile emotions in 1944, as he's been known to use them against Sade in order to get attention.  Who knows?

It's funny to see Russell taking on the role of Vic here in 1944. By the time 1944 came around, Vic would playfully 'mess' with Fletcher as you could tell that both were getting under each other's collar. And note here that Russell (at age 14, I believe) acts totally different than Rush would have. Rush would never really have been irritated by Sade's uncle, but it's obvious that Russell feels he's being put 'down cellar' - something Fletcher never hesitated to say to and about him many times in these later episodes. There's no real animosity; both seem to go their merry way after the slight battles.

TRIVIA:

* Say what? Uncle Fletcher discusses Satchelbreffer trees: "Satchelbreffer Penobscot Spoon-Pine is largely grown in southeastern part of western North Dakota. The Pulp-head tribe of Dish-face Indians use it for making tuckels, goolies, spawtchers, and grelps. A tuckel is a gourd used for bawbaw, neepo, dorbrix, and powl." Later, he claims: "Bawbaw is a smashed cornmeal mixed with rainwater and salted down with Gumflower seeds – it's fed to babies."

* The piano piece Euncie hurt herself playing ("The Great Colorado Train Robbery Scottish") was also mentioned in March and June of '44 (in other words, a letter from Bess mentioned the piano piece at least 3 of 4 months. It's likely we are missing other episodes that talk about this complicated piano piece). This accident broke a bone, caused a bruise and initiated shock... (shock - aka acute stress disorder, may include these symptoms, according to Wikipedia:  numbing; emotional detachment; muteness; derealization; depersonalization; psychogenic amnesia; continued re-experiencing of the event via thoughts, dreams, and flashbacks; and avoidance of any stimulation that reminds them of the event. During this time, they must have symptoms of anxiety, and significant impairment in at least one essential area of functioning. Symptoms last for a minimum of 2 days, and a maximum of 4 weeks, and occur within 4 weeks of the event.)

The incidents involving Euncie and the piano are really worth taking a look at, because like all Paul Rhymer plot pieces, they seem to get more bizarre as time goes by.  Euncie is roughly 15-16 years of age and Rhymer is literally crushing her bones!

* Fletcher mentions Oscar McSpilcher's son Harry fell off of a piano and all he broke was his shoestring.

* Bess' letter mentions Mis' Bahcol, Euncie's music teacher, who said, "A person really needs 15 fingers to really execute the selections the way they really should be executed."

Some of the notes here came directly from Barbara Schwartz

37-xx-xx Harold "Rotten" Davis Takes up the Tobacco Habit

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN AND BILL IDELSON  

Twenty year-old Rotten Davis, who is a bit of a showoff, has taken up the habit of smoking cigars and chewing tobacco.

He's got his pockets loaded with tobacco and he wants to come over and smoke with Vic.

But before he ever makes it over to the Gook house, he gets sick from consumption of his various tobacco products and must be sent home via ambulance!

SEE THE SCRIPT

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I think it's pretty safe to assume that this episode introduced Rotten Davis.  His later hijinx would astound the listening audience.

He's a bit larger-than-life, almost a cartoon character.

Laurastine Price's child once broke the Gook's cuspidor.  That sounds like it could be messy.

Rotten told everyone his girlfriend was actress Queentena Quarles but Sade read in the newspaper that her beau was movie star Wilbert Willison.

Rotten was caught drawing mustaches on photos on books in the library.  When threatened with arrest, he claimed he owned the library.  (Paul Rhymer seemed to have a thing for drawing mustaches on people.)

43-05-04 Chuck's Little Leather Ringmasters

STARRING: BERNARDINE FLYNN

Chuck Brainfeeble owes Sade $40.  He pays he off with a gross of "Little Leather Ringmasters" even though she doesn't want them.

____________________

I have no idea...

Flynn did not do this episode alone, Carl Kroenke (Chuck) was on it with her.

The transcription disc for this episode survived but was either sold to Radio Spirits in the 1970's or was donated to the Library of Congress. (That might mean that we may never hear this episode.)

43-04-13 Roy Dejectedly's Strange Family

STARRING: BERNARDINE FLYNN AND CLARENCE HARTZELL

Sade, Dottie Brainfeeble and Uncle Fletcher relax on a nice spring day out on the porch.  Fletcher tells the girls about Roy Dejectedly and his strange group of brothers.

____________________

Uncle Fletcher also told about the Dejectedly brothers here.

The transcription disc for this episode survived but was either sold to Radio Spirits in the 1970's or was donated to the Library of Congress. (That might mean that we may never hear this episode.)

42-12-29 E. Tyson Stoogie Drummed Out of Lodge

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY AND BERNARDINE FLYNN

E. Tyson Stoogie, who was a replacement on the All-Star Marching Team when there was earlier trouble, has been drummed out of the lodge.

He's mad and plans on starting his own All-Star Marching Team.  He has plans to make money with his venture and he wants Vic to join up with him; Vic can't understand why he'd think he would ever go against the lodge and the Marching Team.

_______________________________

The transcription disc for this episode survived but was either sold to Radio Spirits in the 1970's or was donated to the Library of Congress. (That might mean that we may never hear this episode.)

42-10-30 Vic, the Traveling Moderator

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY AND BERNARDINE FLYNN

A letter from Chicago Lodge Headquarters asks Vic to be a 'Traveling Moderator.'

Vic notices some immediate problems: for one, he gets no pay for the job until he's completed two years of duty; and the lodge will only pay one-twelfth of his traveling expenses.

____________________

The transcription disc for this episode survived but was either sold to Radio Spirits in the 1970's or was donated to the Library of Congress. (That might mean that we may never hear this episode.)

42-10-12 The Mayor Wants to Join the Lodge

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN AND BILL IDELSON

The Mayor wants to visit the lodge and may want to join.  Vic is excited.

____________________

The transcription disc for this episode survived but was either sold to Radio Spirits in the 1970's or was donated to the Library of Congress. (That might mean that we may never hear this episode.)

42-09-28 Princess Moon-on-the-River

Sade finds out from gossip that Lolita di Rienzi is actually an Indian princess known as "Moon-on-the-River"!  This news is startling to her and she can't wait to tell Vic.  But.  He.  Already.  Knows.  And Sade is furious because he's known "for years" and has never said a word about it!

Meanwhile, Rush has fascinating tale to tell about a fight between Mildred Tisdel and Leland Richards.

____________________

Busted!

The transcription disc for this episode survived but was either sold to Radio Spirits in the 1970's or was donated to the Library of Congress. (That might mean that we may never hear this episode.)

[The gist of this episode is revealed in the book,Vic and Sade on the Radio: A Cultural History of Paul Rhymer's Daytime Series] 

43-03-05 Fred's Dead Storage Car

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN AND BILL IDELSON

Fred Stembottom (under the sugary pretense of "500") wants Vic to come over and help him dismantle his dead storage car.

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Trivia:

+ Fred wants to remove the engine from the car; imagine how mad Vic is in this one (sadly, that's all we can do -- imagine, as this episode is one we will never likely hear, despite the fact that the disc exists somewhere [see notes below.])

+ Fred wrote a song for the engine-removal, called, "Dead Storage Blues."  

The transcription disc for this episode survived but was either sold to Radio Spirits in the 1970's or was donated to the Library of Congress. (That might mean that we may never hear this episode.)

40-06-05 Alarm Clock Hunt

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN AND BILL IDELSON

Rush is scouring the neighborhood for old alarm clocks.  Vic has promised him a dime for each one he brings home.

Rush finds a bunch!

____________________

The transcription disc for this episode survived but was either sold to Radio Spirits in the 1970's or was donated to the Library of Congress. (That might mean that we may never hear this episode.)

However the above information could be wrong about this particular episode as it is one I have not seen before. I may have overlooked it earlier, despite my constant searches for such things.

It could be, in fact, a newly found transcription disc. Even so, it may still be sold or donated away.

The title is my own, given purely for identification purposes.

40-08-25 Funny Money

STARRING: BERNARDINE FLYNN AND BILL IDELSON

Sade is confused over her money again and in a tizzy over thirty cents.  Did Mis' Williams pay it back, or not?

____________________

At the end of the program, Clarence Hartzell is introduced as Uncle Fletcher; he will be on Vic and Sade for the next few shows as a house guest.

The transcription disc for this episode survived but was either sold to Radio Spirits in the 1970's or was donated to the Library of Congress. (That might mean that we may never hear this episode.)

40-08-23 Modeling for Mis' Wheeler

STARRING: BERNARDINE FLYNN AND BILL IDELSON
 
Sade volunteers Rush to go with Mis' Wheeler, who is going clothes
shopping for a boy who is about Rush's size.

Rush is not happy.

____________________

The transcription disc for this episode survived but was either sold to Radio Spirits in the 1970's or was donated to the Library of Congress. (That might mean that we may never hear this episode.)

40-08-16 Entertaining Mr. Buller

STARRING: BERNARDINE FLYNN AND BILL IDELSON
 
No one is home but Rush... Sade's gone shopping and Vic is away at a lodge meeting. Mr. Buller shows up. Rush somehow must entertain him until help arrives.

____________________

The transcription disc for this episode survived but was either sold to Radio Spirits in the 1970's or was donated to the Library of Congress. (That might mean that we may never hear this episode.)

40-08-15 Garbage Box Awards

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN AND BILL IDELSON
 
Mr. Gumpox is giving away prizes for the prettiest garbage boxes. 

____________________

The transcription disc for this episode survived but was either sold to Radio Spirits in the 1970's or was donated to the Library of Congress. (That might mean that we may never hear this episode.)

40-08-13 Little Carberry Gossips

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN AND BILL IDELSON

Now that Sade has settled in back home, she tells all the gossip she got while she was in Carberry, much to the boys' dismay.

____________________

The transcription disc for this episode survived but was either sold to Radio Spirits in the 1970's or was donated to the Library of Congress. (That might mean that we may never hear this episode.)

40-06-12 Fred's Tire Troubles

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN AND BILL IDELSON

Somehow, Fred Stembottom has all four of his tires blowout at once.  He's made history.

Meanwhile, Blue Tooth Johnson has taught Rush some new stuff to say, including: "Cross my heart and hope to die, eat a banana and holler hi!  Your Uncle George is full of prunes, the rest of your relations are crazy as loons!"

____________________

The transcription disc for this episode survived but was either sold to Radio Spirits in the 1970's or was donated to the Library of Congress. (That might mean that we may never hear this episode.)

40-06-11 Mis' Husher Grows Up

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN AND BILL IDELSON
 
Sade has sad news to tell: Mis' Husher is now taller than Mr. Husher.

____________________

The transcription disc for this episode survived but was either sold to Radio Spirits in the 1970's or was donated to the Library of Congress. (That might mean that we may never hear this episode.)

40-06-20 Y.Y. Flirch Gets Hit with Another Train

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN AND BILL IDELSON
 
As improbable as it sounds, Vic's lodge buddy Y.Y. Flirch is once again a victim of a fast passenger train.  He has to once again wires Vic for money.

____________________

The transcription disc for this episode survived but was either sold to Radio Spirits in the 1970's or was donated to the Library of Congress. (That might mean that we may never hear this episode.)

40-06-04 Y.Y. Flirch Gets Hit By Train

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN AND BILL IDELSON

Y.Y. Flirch sends a wire to Vic: he's been hit by a fast passenger train and needs a quick twenty bucks to meet his hospital bill.

____________________

The transcription disc for this episode survived but was either sold to Radio Spirits in the 1970's or was donated to the Library of Congress. (That might mean that we may never hear this episode.)

42-09-21 Smelly Clark's Broken Watch

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN AND BILL IDELSON

Rush tells his parents that Smelly Clark has broken the gold pocket watch he received for a gift (and wasn't supposed to to touch until he turned 21).  He needs $9.00 to fix it.  He is in a terrible mess.  Rush would like to withdraw $9.00 from his savings account, but you know what Sade will say...  So, Vic and Sade, feeling compassion for Smelly's plight, lend the funds needed to him to have the watch repaired.

____________________

This synopsis comes from the October 3, 1942 issue of Billboard magazine and can be found here.

Additional information was obtained from the book, Vic and Sade on the Radio: A Cultural History of Paul Rhymer's Daytime Series.

This episode was apparently just recently found and may be available soon, but this is something that is unconfirmed. It does, however, seem to to be a new disc find.  

This audio episode is available at the University of Missouri-Kansas City (Marr collection).

44-xx-xx Vic Not Invited to Hoopeston

Vic is hurt and miffed when the Hink twins (Robert and Slobert) invite
everyone on the All-Star Marching Team to Hoopston but him.

___________________

This episode is mentioned at least twice in the audio episodes with the best description here.

No explanation is ever given (in the audio or in the notes) as to why the twins got upset at Vic.

We can be pretty sure this episode took place shortly before July 17, 1944.

The title is my own and is used only for identification purposes.

44-05-12 There's No Place Like a Home

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN AND DAVID WHITEHOUSE

• A letter from Homer U. McDancey suggests that Vic give marching lessons at various State Homes in 22 different states:
• Alabama State Home For the Nauseated
• Arizona State Home For the Eager
• Colorado State Home For the Bashful
• Connectict State Home For the Affable
• Kentucky State Home For the Suspicious
• Maryland State Home For the Surprised
• Minnesota State Home For the Right-Handed
• Mississippi State Home For the Impersonal
• Missouri State Home For the Tall
• Nebraska State Home For the Nice-Looking
• New Hampshire State Home For the Disgruntled
• North Dakota State Home For the Shy
• Ohio State Home For the Bald
• Ohio State Home For the Obstinate
• Oklahoma State Home For the Mistaken
• Oregon State Home For the Light-Complected
• Pennsylvania State Home For the Reactionary
• South Carolina State Home For the Dainty
• Texas State Home For the Relaxed
• Utah State Home For the Kittenish
• Vermont State Home For the Freckled
• West Virginia State Home For the Argumentative
• (Russell’s Idea): New York State Home For the Antidisestablishmentarianistic 
•   Russell volunteers:
  "…there was a case in Indiana where a fella invented ice cream without any flavor…"  and later:
  "… there was a case in Indiana where a fella liked raw potatoes better than popcorn…" and still later:
  "…there was a case in Indiana where a fella waited for a streetcar 37 hours." - compiled by Barbara Schwarz, edited by Jimbo Mason

___________________

If this were available to us on audio, I can imagine it being one of the very best; at any rate, it would be part of the Vic and Sade storytelling that you can find in articles all over.  At least now the story is out there in print and can be (almost) fully appreciated.

xx-xx-xx Rush Plays the Violin

Rush is trying to learn the violin and in the process is driving Mis' Fisher crazy.

________________________

This synopsis is taken from an article from 1935, so the date of the episode is 1935 or before.

The title is unknown; the one used here was given by me purely to identify the episode.

44-05-10 Sade and Mis' Harris Fight - Ladystuff

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN, DAVID WHITEHOUSE AND CLARENCE HARTZELL

• Mis' Harris wants Sade's Christmas card business and Sade doesn't want to commit.  Tension is brewing...
• Mis' Harris is annoyed that her new roomer Pelter Unbleet was recommended by Uncle Fletcher. So far, Unbleet hasn't paid any rent, and Sade thinks this reflects on her.  More tension between the two...
• Mis' Harris wants to plant pansies in a patch of the Gook's yard because her yard is taken up with cabbage (she then turns the cabbage into sauerkraut and sells it.) The pansies are for the Park End Church pulpit.  Sade refuses this request.  The tension is boiling!
• Sade defines to the men what a lady fight is: "Where the madder a person gets the sweeter they smile and the more polite and lah-de-dah they act." - compiled by Barbara Schwarz, edited by Jimbo Mason

___________________

Despite the fact that in an earlier episode we were told Blue Tooth's name was "Edwin" - in this episode, Russell says his real name is "Albert."

It's hard to believe but this is actually an episode about Christmas cards again.

Reference is made in this episode about Pelter Unbleet not paying his rent.  Recall that Mis' Harris eventually takes him to court over this.  (Unbleet seems like a 'natural' to live at the Bright Kentucky Hotel, where he eventually moves.  Since he works there as a janitor, it seems living there would make his life easier.)

I had thought (via audio) that Park End Church was on 'Ellen' Street when it's actually on 'Allen' Street.

41-xx-xx Sade and Ruthie Mail Each Other Five Dollars

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY AND BERNARDINE FLYNN 

There's deep confusion between Sade and Ruthie Stembottom over their recent muddled shopping money.

Ruthie, feeling bad about the whole thing and in order to set confusion aside and make things right between the ladies, mails Sade a five dollar bill.  She spends the episode explaining the money confusion to Vic (who acts like he cares but we know he could really care less) and explaining to him that she also sent Ruthie five dollars in the mail.

SEE THE SCRIPT

___________________

Vic has the solution for the ladies but they never take his advice: use your own money to pay for your own items.  As simple as this sounds, the ladies simply cannot resist doing otherwise.

The ladies (plus Mis' Trogle) bought gum drops, a spool of thread and weighed themselves on the penny weighing machine.

+ Rush is at the YMCA watching the fat men play handball.

+ Raymond Belcher Beirman is mentioned again here but Vic uses his name as a figure of speech rather than referring to a real person.  Beirman must be a very mystical figure if we take him literally.

xx-xx-xx Rush Reveals Recent Exploits of Blue Tooth Johnson

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN AND BILL IDELSON

• Rush tells tales on Blue Tooth Johnson. 
• He took his whole Sunday School class to lunch at the Purple Room inside the Butler House Hotel Restaurant. 
• He was sitting in study hall at 2:15 and went to sleep and fell out of his chair and landed on Leland Richards' foot that stuck out in the aisle - Leland, Mildred Tisdel and Eunice Raypole hollered in fright. 
• He was called on in class by Miss Monroe to answer a question but his upper jaw was glued to his lower jaw by some homemade taffy; he was sent to Mr. Chinbunny's office where his taffy was confiscated.  - compiled by Barbara Schwarz, edited by Jimbo Mason

___________________

Blue Tooth is capable of almost any kind of mayhem.  He flies under-the-radar on the show; we tend of think of him as just a fellow that Rush tags along with to the YMCA to watch the fat men play handball.  But Blue Tooth's exploits run almost the full course of the series and though he's not a hoodlum, he certainly can find trouble of all shapes and sizes.  A look at his character at the character database wouldn't be a waste of time.

The date is unknown although the show aired prior to Rush leaving for the Navy.  The title is not known and the one given here was made up by me, purely for identification purposes.  That being said, I still had detailed notes on the episode but critical data was missing.

44-04-14 Blue Tooth's Offering Scheme

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN AND DAVID WHITEHOUSE

• Russell asks permission to have Blue Tooth Johnson visit so they can work out his scheme: he hopes to raise eyebrows in church by wrapping the dollar bill he'll receive for his birthday around a wad of green paper so it looks like he's putting a huge offering in the plate.  
• Russell: Strong men will turn pale and women will swoon. 
• Articles in the newspaper mention Mrs. Barlow Froolp and Howard McFalper, Carl D Feetstroop.  Russell refers to Cracky Otto. - compiled by Barbara Schwarz, edited by Jimbo Mason

___________________

Chicago Sun (Feb. 14, 1943)

This trick does seem Russell-like and not Rush-like.  There is a definite difference between the boys, despite the fact that it was about this time in the series when Rhymer tried to confuse his audience into thinking they were the same boy (this 1943 episode is a perfect example of this) despite going on record in various magazine articles and saying Rush was not going to be replaced.

Blue Tooth must be 14 or 15 years old; he gets a dollar for his birthday.  You wonder what a 14 year-old kid would say today if he/she were given only a buck for their birthday present?

xx-xx-xx The Bright Kentucky Hotel

The Gooks explore the subject of the Bright Kentucky Hotel's Orange Gentian Room, a place where they ate pot roast every Sunday and the drummers who were given the corner rooms closest to the railroad tracks (purposely) so that they would be shaken across the floor.

___________________

Jean Shepard recalled this episode in an interview.  (((HEAR)))

The date is unknown (although it would have to be an early episode as Sade hated anything to do with the hotel.)  The title is one I gave the episode purely for identification purposes.

xx-xx-xx Hinks Drive Power Mower 171 Miles

Vic takes notice of his All-Star Marching Team pals Robert and Slobert Hink when they make newspaper headlines by driving their power mower 171 miles from Moline to Decatur, Illinois.

___________________

The synopsis was taken from an interview from either Clarence Hartzell or Bill Idelson in the 1970's.

The date of the episode is unknown but it may have been 1941 or 1942.

The episode title is my own and is used purely for identification purposes.

xx-xx-xx Hank Sells Homemade Candy

Hank Gutstop has a job selling homemade candy.

________________________

This synopsis was mentioned in 40-06-21 Hank's Job Royal Throne Barbershop.

The date is unknown and the title is one I gave the episode purely for identification purposes.

xx-xx-xx Father and Son Banquet

Vic and Rush attend a Father and Son banquet and must sing a song.  The song they have to sing is, Father Oh Father Stop Beating Me Now.

(((HEAR)))

(((See the notes)))

___________________

It's unknown what kind of a function this was but I'd say it's a safe bet to say it was a lodge event.

Idelson recalls that he and Van Harvey laughed uncontrollably as they sang (or tried to.)

The synopsis was garnered from a Bill Idelson story from an interview he gave in 2007.

40-06-21 Hank's Job - Royal Throne Barbershop

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN AND BILL IDELSON 

Vic is excited.  He's just gotten off the telephone with his pal, Hank Gutstop, who informs him that he's gotten a new job at the Royal Throne 25 Cent Barbershop.

He procured the job by coming up with ideas to help improve business, plus he knows so many fellows in town that Ed Holvey, the shop owner, decided to give him a job.

But Hank, who has a bad history with holding a job, may not last the whole afternoon...

MIS' CROWE SAYS:
Hank has a new job as a publicity manager for the Royal Throne Barbershop. Vic shares some of his ideas.

Hank has stumbled upon yet another job opportunity that will benefit him more than it will benefit his employers (free room and board, free lunch, and free haircuts included), but he can’t even hang onto that for a whole episode. Vic’s unending faith in him, given his employment history, is touching. Hank’s ideas are intriguing, but I’m not sure how well they’d actually work. Free lunch in a barbershop seems a little unsanitary. I’m worried you’d end up with hair clippings in your sandwich.
I’m always struck by this little moment in this episode:

SADE: I had quite a little conversation with Mis’ Eapers today.
VIC: How’s she?
SADE: All right. Little leaner than she was, I thought.
VIC: How’s TJ?
SADE: I never asked after TJ. Kinda afraid to, don’t ya know. After he was in jail those four times a person anymore kinda hates to inquire. Might make it embarrassin’.

"Vic and Sade" is full of little details like this — just passing comments that help add depth to the fictional community. Often they’re humorous or idyllic, but not always. Small towns all have those little things that everybody knows about but are too afraid, embarrassed, or polite to talk about. This moment always feels a little jarring to me because Vic and Sade talk about things like this so seldom. It’s also jarring because of the actors’ line readings — it’s the kind of thing that could have been played for laughs or not, depending on how the actors read it, and it is definitely not a humorous read (because Vic and Sade wouldn’t joke about this kind of thing). Listen to Vic’s voice, low and serious and sounding as if he’s anticipating bad news, when he asks "How’s TJ?", and Sade’s concerned tone as she answers. Notice, also, that she waits until Rush is out of the room before she even brings this subject up. Much like Rhymer’s rare and oblique references to World War II, this reference reminds you that darkness exists in Vic and Sade’s world — it just stays in the background, in other people’s lives. It’s these little details that add verisimilitude to "Vic and Sade" and make it the great portrayal of life that it is.

SEE THE SCRIPT (transcribed by Lydia Crowe)

________________________

Trivia:

+ Rush infers that Hank once had a job selling homemade candy.

+ Some of Hank's barbershop ideas include:

• Free lunch - there was no talk of what this may constitute.
• Improving the appearance of the barbershop - no details were given
• Every 50th haircut free - Rush worked it out that it may take three years to get a free haircut.

+ Ed Holvey is always sleeping in the barber chair.  Rush says he lives there - Hank had plans to live there too (also sleeping a barber chair) as part of his payment.

+ Mr. Sludge came home crying again this day.

+ The barbershop is a hot place, according to Rush - no breeze can get in there.

+ Jim Skooner at the Butler House hotel barbershop is Vic's regular barber.

+ Sade called the shop 'dirty' and 'dingy.'

Perhaps it's a joke but a look at Google and "royal throne" brings up as many toilet references as royalty references.

Download the complete commercial-free, sound-improved episode!

xx-xx-xx Rush Builds a Doghouse

Rush builds a doghouse for Mr. Albert R. Johnson.

___________________

This episode aired 1936 or before and the sysposis was found in this 1936 article.

The title is my own and is used purely for identification purposes.

xx-xx-xx Rush's Barbershop

Rush becomes a barber, opening a barbershop in his cellar.

___________________

This episode aired sometime 1936 or before and the synopsis comes from this 1936 article.

The title is my own and is used purely for identification purposes.

40-08-08 Sade is in Carberry

While Sade is away in Carberry, Rush suddenly realizes the house is a mess.

Vic, on the other hand, doesn't really see a need to clean the house.

________________________

Vic hates cleaning the house as we have learned from many episodes.

[This an existing episode which hasn't been released by the transcription disk owner yet.]

40-08-07 Meals for Bachelors

Sade is out of town visiting her sister in Carberry.  Meanwhile, Vic and Rush must make due for their own lunches.

Rush visits Vic at his office (it's quite rare for an episode to take place any place other than the living room or the porches.)

Vic gives Rush a dollar which he can use to purchase all kinds of things at the school cafeteria.

Meanwhile, Vic is going to have his favorites: beef punkles and Limberschwartz cheese.

___________________

This is at least the second time Vic has made beef punkles and Limberschwartz cheese.

[This an existing episode which hasn't been released by the transcription disk owner yet.]

44-03-28 Grown Men Trading Names

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN AND DAVID WHITEHOUSE

Vic tells the Sade the news that Stacey Yopp and Y.I.I.Y. Skeeber are "trading names".  It sounds ludicrous to you and I - and it sounds just as asinine to Sade.

Though it's clear she understands, she needles Vic, probably because she thinks all of his friends are lunatics (and let's face it, most of them are). 

If you like a cold Sade, you'll love this one. 

SEE THE SCRIPT (part 1) (part 2)

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What could be more ridiculous than grown men exchanging names with each other?  Why would Stacey enjoy the name Y.I.I.Y. better?

The fact that there is a ceremony (Hank's going to sing a couple of songs, there's going to be food, etc.) is even more ridiculous.

44-04-08 'Red' Stembottom

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN, DAVID WHITEHOUSE AND CLARENCE HARTZELL

• After supper Uncle Fletcher mentions he ran into "Red" Stembottom and Sade goes into a rage, forbidding him to change the man's name again.  
• Uncle Fletcher tells the story about Walter M. Veefy.  The story is a familiar one:   Drowned in the Missouri River.  Had another brother that drowned in the Ohio River.  Had another brother drown in the Mississippi River and still another brother who didn't get drowned at all.  [The problem is, he's already told this story (different rivers) about the same man, in 1941.  There have been several times where he told the same story and had a different man committing the ridiculous act(s) but I believe this is the only known time where told the same story twice about the same man.  And three years apart, to boot. - J.M.]
• Uncle Fletcher gives out the basic ingredients for Hyena Grease again in this episode.  This is at least the thrid time he's done so.
• At the end of the episode - and in fear of his life - Fletcher relents and refers not to "Red" or "Ted" but to "Fred" Stembottom. - compiled by Barbara Schwarz, edited by Jimbo Mason

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It's pretty safe to say that Fletcher is obsessed with Hyena Grease.  Either it works just as well as he says it does or he believes it will be a real moneymaker.

The fact that Fletcher knows Fred's real name and calls him by it at the end should clue us all in that he uses the senile and deaf act only to get/demand attention.

The episode where Fletcher told the Veefy story about the drownings was also the first episode we know about where he called Fred by the name "Ted."  My guess is this is a Rhymer homage to himself - or at the very least, he was looking at an old script to see why he ever decided to name Fred "Ted" - saw the Veefy story and had Fletcher tell it again. 

xx-xx-xx Ruthie's Exalted Big Dipper Spring Coat

Ruthie Stembottom admired Vic's Exalted Big Dipper robe so much that she wanted to borrow it and make a spring coat using it as the pattern.

When Vic heard about her plan, he put his foot down and made a big fuss.
(((HEAR)))

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The date is unknown but it was before July 12, 1943, the date of the episode that Sade relays us the information in.

The title of the episode is my own and used strictly for identification purposes.

xx-xx-xx Sade Elected President of Thimble Club

An excited Sade tells Vic and Rush about her winning the election to become President of the Thimble Club.

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This synopsis comes from a newspaper article from 1943. The date is unknown. We know that Sade was a member of the Thimble Club as early as 1933. The title is my own and is used only for identification purposes.

xx-xx-xx Rush Locked Out of House in Pajamas

Rush went to retrieve the morning paper in his pajamas, but was accidentally locked out of the house.

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This is all we know about the episode. The synopsis is from a newspaper article.  The date is unknown and the title is my own given for identification purposes.

44-04-13 The Gooks Await News of Fletcher's Visitors

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN, DAVID WHITEHOUSE AND CLARENCE HARTZELL

• Uncle Fletcher is excited because he's expecting three visitors (Roy Dejectedly from Dixon, Howard Honeycrutch from Belvidere, and Dwight Twentysixler from Dismal Seepage, Ohio) all at the same time, all having made their plans independent of the others.   
• Mis' Keller calls Sade to say Fletcher's on his way over and to warn Sade that he's extremely excited.
• When he arrives, everyone expects him to spill the beans immediately, but he's acting calm and collected as if nothing's new.  They continue to anticipate his announcement will eventually arrive as an eruption.



Enigmatic

• Fletcher reveals "it's considered good luck to use your shoe to wipe mashed potatoes off your chin." - compiled by Barbara Schwarz, edited by Jimbo Mason

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This running gag of Roy Dejectedly coming for a visit finally ends; it began on December 21, 1943.  There are at least four known episodes that deal with the visit and I imagine there are more than we don't know about.  One of the things I enjoy about the show (and would enjoy more if we had the full run of audio) is these very long running jokes, of which there are many.

Dwight Twentysixler is a big name in the Series 2 and 3 but he's small potatoes in this original run of shows.  He's my favorite "real character" in the other two series but I think if he had been expanded in this original run - with the same attributes - he'd have been as noteworthy as Hank Gutstop or Mr. Gumpox.

Twentysixler has great 'ridiculous characteristics' - something that Rhymer gave some characters and not others.  The more ridiculous and the more talked about, the better.  After all, it's hard to remember a guy when he's only mentioned once.

Fletcher is not excited when he arrives at the Gook house - this is another Rhymer joke.  Fletcher should be jumping up and down but the tempered Fletcher only confounds the Gooks and the audience.

44-04-12 Russell, the Reluctant Knight

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN AND  DAVID WHITEHOUSE

Russell's been invited to a party at a friend of Anabel Hemstreet. He's agreed to escort Annabelle, but feels no need to be a gallant gentleman, since he feels like he is doing her a favor. When Blue Tooth invites him to the YMCA, he thinks he can get Heinie Call to do the escorting for him. Vic and Sade find him callous.

SCRIPT (part 1) (part 2)

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This is a remake of a script very similar to this (date unknown) where Bill Idelson plays the part of Rush.  In this episode, Russell has plans to have Heinie escort Miss Hemstreet; we know very clearly that Heinie is Russell's sworn enemy.  One has to wonder if Bulldog Drummond or Nicer Scott might have been Rush's choice to replace him in the earlier production?

This play seems a wee bit out of character for Rush but certainly seems in line for Russell, who often seems to tiptoe the alley between respectability and anarchy.

Trivia:

+ The Hemstreets lives on Oakland Avenue between Mercer Avenue and Douglas Streets.  This is a high class area of the neighborhood and a dozen or so blocks from the Gook house.

+ Russell referred to Annabelle's friend (the one having the birthday) as "some baboon".

+ Champion bowlers who will appear at the YMCA: Red Donaldson and Curly McFormer.

42-xx-xx Sade and Rush Take a Phone Call from the Hinks

While Vic is away on business, Sade and Rush receive a telephone call from Robert and Slobert Hink.

The phone call is very much like the phone call from the Hinks in this episode, but unlike the audio episode, it appears the callers are just Robert and Slobert and not all of the other relatives and friends.

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We know this was an episode because it's referred to in the episode (link) above. And we know it took place before August 20th of 1942, probably in July or early August of the same year.

The title is made up by me for identification purposes only.

xx-xx-xx The Consolidated Kitchenware Dealers' Trip to Hawaii

Below is a paraphrase of a story told by Bernardine Flynn:

Vic comes home with news that the Consolidated Kitchenware dealers were going to have a convention in Hawaii - but not until 1955.

Vic, of course, is extremely excited about this news but Sade, unable to imagine things that far into the future and being afraid to do so, is being driven crazy by the excitable Vic.

Finally, she's had enough of Vic and his Hawaii talk and says, "Oh that Hawaii!  I wish it were out in the middle of the Pacific Ocean!"

(((HEAR)))

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The date is unknown and the title is one I've made up for identification purposes only.

xx-xx-xx Mixed Up Shoes

Sade attends a party and comes home with one shoe that is hers and one that is not.

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This story comes from the book, Mass Communication and American Social Thought: Key Texts, 1919-1968 By John Durham Peters and Peter Simonson (reference.)

The date is unknown and the title is one I gave the show for identification purposes only.

xx-xx-xx Howard Refuses to Work

Bernardine Flynn told a story about Mr. Gumpox and his horse, H
Howard.  The following is a paraphrase of Flynn's story:

Mr. Gumpox had two suits; one was for Sunday and the other was for everyday.
 
There came a time when the old working suit was no longer good enough to wear anyplace.  So then he bought a new one for Sunday (the former Sunday suit would be the work clothes.)

Gumpox showed up one day at the stall to get Howard.  Howard saw him wearing the old Sunday suit and refused to get up.  The horse thought it was Sunday.

(((HEAR)))

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The date is unknown and the title is made up by me only for identification purposes.

44-03-27 Fletcher to Pedal Hyena Grease?

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN, DAVID WHITEHOUSE AND CLARENCE HARTZELL

• After a delicious supper, Fletcher approaches Vic about a letter he received from Roy Dejectedly.  Vic: "Well!  And how is old Roy?  Dancing the fox-trot, the cake-walk, and the Indiana hoe-down as usual, I suppose."
• Roy proposes that Fletcher pedal Hyena Grease.  
• Fletcher: Roy didn't invent Hyena Grease.  "Nobody could invent Hyena Grease.  For a fella to invent Hyena Grease, first he'd hafta invent the hyena."
• Fletcher: "Roy is a foxy scalawag who could talk simpletons into giving him two nickels of change for a dime in half a dozen large cities.  I tell ya the man is foxy.  No, if anybody sharper than Roy Dejectedly comes along, you can just leave me sitting in the barber chair.  Roy owns no patent, copyright, license, or infringement on Hyena Grease.  The big scientific laboratories in Chicago, Milwaukee, Moline, Waukeshaw, or Dubuque would love to duplicate the product.  Roy will tell you it contains turpentine, creosote, lamp-black, and tractor oil, but refuses to divulge the quantities that make Hyena Grease the finest preparation for smearing on your shoes in the entire world.  He didn't invent it, but he doctored it up to a scientific point where it's suitable for smearing on your shoes."
• Fletcher begins to read Roy's letter, but it's not Roy's letter.  It's addressed to "Dearest Ida."  The letter mentions George, Helen and Grace, Dr. Feendish and Nurse Montgomery, Vernon, and Dorothy.  Apparently in error he picked up a letter belonging to Mis' Keller, his landlady.  - compiled by Barbara Schwarz, edited by Jimbo Mason

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Is Roy ever coming?  We've seen the evolution of the visit: it began when Uncle Fletcher told the family about it on December 21, 1943.  Fletcher talked about it again on March 9, 1944 and now it's almost three weeks later.

It seems that pedaling Hyena Grease would be a natural fit for Fletcher.  But the fact that he's conferring with Vic would lead us to believe there may be complications.

44-03-13 Letter from Stella Klank

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY AND BERNARDINE FLYNN

• Vic is obsessed with dinner, which isn't ready, and Sade wants to read Stella's letter to him to show him it's "inconsequential trash."
• Stella (who lives in Dixon) mentions: Nelson Klunk and Lottie McVirtchel in Marengo; Jeanette and Ocky McMasterson, who own a fake piano, visited.  Mr. Furgleson will travel with Nelson to Sweet Esther, Wisconsin on business.  Ed and Wanda Tretson are moving to Dismal Seepage, Ohio. they used to live in Sick River Junction, where Ed worked as an armed guard at the Missouri Home For the Tall. They're expecting a fourth child in July. Little Donald has been staying with his grandma in Topeka for two weeks.  Fern and Albert Greetch dropped past.  Helen and Butler Chonk are moving to a house out of town.  Butler didn't make a go of the faded overall business.  Helen wants him to go back to giving violin lessons, but music jangles his nerves.
• Sade's afraid if she answers the letter she'll get involved in an  unending exchange of meaningless drivel.  Vic puts aside his hunger pangs long enough to suggest Sade's exchanges with her sister Bess are no more meaningful.  Sade says that's different – sisters.
• Back to the letter: Fist and Isabelle Maloney, Art and Dorothy Koog, Findlay and Bertha Spence are forming a glee club.
• Vic (commenting on a hint of spring in the air): "Little vernal zephyrs perfume the ozone." - compiled by Barbara Schwarz, edited by Jimbo Mason
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Vic stepped on a landmine that didn't explode when he talks about Bess's letters being inconsequential.

As we have learned previously, Sweet Esther is not just a popular destination for lodge members.

The Gooks and Uncle Fletcher know of a handful of armed guards who work for the Missouri Home for the Tall.

The "faded overall business" was a joke then - now faded blue jean products are money-makers.

A simple but funny name mentioned in the letter: Butler Chonk.

According to the book, Vic and Sade on the Radio: A Cultural History of Paul Rhymer's Daytime Series, this episode is dated February 9, 1944.  

40-xx-xx Mr. Donahue Gets Promoted Again

Mr. Donahue, after being promoted to Traveling Inspector of Locomotives, asked for and received a demotion back to his old job of being an engineer.

But not long after, he was promoted again to the same position he asked to be demoted from!

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There's no mention if he was ever demoted again but it's likely he was; in 1944, Mr. Gumpox and Rishigan Fishigan both accuse him of throwing coal through their windows when the train went by the Bright Kentucky Hotel. This is not likely an inspector doing this, this is something like an engineer would do.

The date is unknown though it's likely he was again promoted in 1940.  The title is my own manufacturing for the sake of identification.

44-03-24 The Seven Minute March

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN AND  DAVID WHITEHOUSE

• Vic comes home all excited – wants to know if the Evans Photographer Studio telephoned.
• After the disappointment of his cancelled trip to Sweet Esther, Wisconsin, Vic's spirits brighten at the news that Homer U. McDancy is arriving by train this afternoon and they'll march together at the Union Depot and be photographed for the Lodge magazine. The train will be stopping for seven minutes.  Vic calls himself a "stoop-head" for saying, "I'm going to dance with Homer U. McMarchy."
• Vic's eager to let Honky J. Sponger in on this event.
• Russell: "By George, Gov is as happy as a horse."  
• Russell mentions Shorty McClellan has obtained permission from his parents to smoke cigars when he turns 25.  He already has the cigar.  Sade suspects it'll be stale after eleven years.  Russell explains Shorty's preserving it by soaking it in gasoline.  Six months prior to his twenty-fifth birthday he'll remove it from the gasoline and dry it in the sunshine.  - compiled by Barbara Schwarz, edited by Jimbo Mason

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A week earlier, Vic's spirit was crushed when his trip to Sweet Esther fell apart.  In that episode, McDancy was to have a five minute layover at the train depot.  This episode gives them two more precious marching minutes.

The story about Short McClellan is classic; it's one I would love to hear.  Still, the text remaining is precious to me.

44-03-22 Grand Re-Opening of the Tea Shoppy

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN AND  DAVID WHITEHOUSE

• The Little Tiny Petite Pheasant Feather Tea Shoppy is now under management of Pom Pom Cordova.  Sade's Thimble Club is backing the venture. Thimble Club Vice-President, Mis' Fenwick, is the new owner.  Pom Pom, as manager and hostess, will put up a glamorous front for drumming up business.  One of the big, free attractions: Pom Pom and Lolita di Rienzi duets on Caribbean Dream Flute and Tropical Guitar.
• The shop re-opens at noon tomorrow: free funny hats for the gentlemen, free noise-makers for the ladies, cigars and roses for the old folks.  Russell and his pals will be handing out these items.
• Sade will attend the grand re-opening with Ruthie Stembottom, Mis' Trogle, and Mis' Hendricks.
• Sade: "everybody happy as my undershirt, huh?"
• Vic fears Sade will pounce on him in regard to Pom Pom. 
• Rishigan Fishigan is passing out handbills on people's porches.
• Russell: "they're really doing it up brown." - compiled by Barbara Schwarz, edited by Jimbo Mason

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So it comes out that the rumor Mis' Appelrot was passing around was somewhat true.  Vic doesn't seem to have any part in the backing - although, oddly enough - the Thimble Club seems to have way, way more to do with the Little Tiny Petite Pheasant Feather Tea Shoppy changing hands than Vic.

Pom Pom and Lolita make their musical dreams come true.  I'm sure their music was very pretty; it's a shame there are no  muted silver moonbeam chimes to go along with them.

44-xx-xx Garbage Box Mystery Solved

Sade had noticed a big chunk broken out of the garbage box. She had some theories and Vic and Russell too wondered what had happened to the box.

In the episode about the box, a resolution never came and we were left to wonder what happened.

Sometime after the episode above, this episode aired; Sade and Gumpox apparently talk about the garbage box and Gumpox apologizes. It seems that Howard was responsible for breaking the box and unbeknownst to the Gooks, he also broke the Razorscum's box.

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The actual title is unknown. I provided the title just for identification purposes. It's quite likely that this episode aired at the very end of July or the very first part of August (more than likely July 29 or 30th.)

44-03-10 Mis' Appelrot Spreads A Rumor About Vic

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN AND  DAVID WHITEHOUSE

• While in Chicago, Mis' Appelrot met a man who told her Pom Pom Cordova is going to manage the Little Tiny Petite Pheasant Feather Tea Shoppy, and Sade thinks Vic has been holding this intelligence to himself.
• Mis' Appelrot has led Sade to believe Vic's one of the backers and is on the Board of Governors of the restaurant.
• Lolita di Rienzi had told Vic about Pom Pom's plans and joked that Vic should be on the Board of Governors.  Mis' Appelrot also suggested Vic had agreed to play duets with Pom Pom on the Caribbean Dream Flute and Tropical Guitar.  Meanwhile, Russell squirms while waiting for Sade to concentrate on what items he's to buy at the grocery.
• Vic (kittenish): "Kiddo-widdow never even told Vicky-Sticky ‘hello' "
• Sade gets a cramp in her elbow – suggests it's a sign that your mother-in-law broke her darning needle.  - compiled by Barbara Schwarz, edited by Jimbo Mason
  

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It's not implied in the notes but it's evident that Sade is mad in this episode. She gets mad (or at least, pretends to be) whenever the subjects of Pom Pom and Lolita are brought up, especially in connection with Vic's name.  She may be jealous - she may just use it as an excuse to blow off steam against Vicky-Sticky.

In this episode, we have a rumor of information that may involve Vic and money.  And he's not said a word about it to Sade.  You can imagine that she's a bit curious to find out if the rumors are true.

We don't find out in this episode but will in the near future.

Dr. Keevy's name is brought up in this episode - and seems to be in each episode that Pom Pom and Lolita are in.

44-03-09 Uncle Fletcher Plans Entertainment For Roy Dejectedly's Visit

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN, DAVID WHITEHOUSE AND CLARENCE HARTZELL

• Fletcher still expects a visit from Roy Dejectedly.  He's riding down with Harry Giggletta, who's on his way to Springfield on business and will drop Roy off from 7 am to 7 pm.
• Planned entertainment includes a ride on Mr. Gumpox' garbage wagon, an introduction to Ernie Fadler at the Interurban Station, a visit with Pelter Unbleet at the Bright Kentucky Hotel.
• Roy and Pelter both spent the summer of nineteen-aught-nine in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, yet they've never met each other.  Also a visit to B. B. Baugh at the Butler House Hotel barber shop, because they're both inventors.
• Fletcher clarifies: Roy didn't actually invent Hyena Grease, but he did discover the ingredients that make it suitable for smearing on shoes.  Uncle Fletcher wants to include a visit to Vic's office on the schedule.  Vic suggests a full inspection tour of the whole works, and Fletcher is thrilled.  "Roy Dejectedly'll scream like a half-wit panther!"
• Vic reads news article aloud: "Windsor, Ontario man experiments with raw oysters."  Sade resents interruption of her own reading.
• "Hartman L. Kacker, little-known merchant of Windsor, Ontario claims he expects to astound science in the near future with new and…"
• Uncle Fletcher on the weather: "Might sneeze itself up a light snow before morning."  - compiled by Barbara Schwarz, edited by Jimbo Mason

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If this episode is any indication, the visit by Roy Dejectedly was planned four months ahead (since December 21, 1944 - this would also mean that Paul Rhymer must have had this trip planned in his head/on paper for almost four months).

You wonder why there is a 12 hour window for Gigletta to drop off Roy?

Though the entertainment for Roy seems sparse, one would imagine any of Fletcher's friends in town would enjoy that kind of entertainment; Roy probably would also.

44-02-23 Old News About Belvidere – Ugh

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN, DAVID WHITEHOUSE AND CLARENCE HARTZELL

Uncle Fletcher comes over with a book of newspaper clippngs about the city of Belvidere; Russell and Sade realize it's useless to inform him that they really have no interest in the book.

SCRIPT (page 1) (page 2)

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TRIVIA:

+ Oyster Krecker's first name is Joseph.

+ Russell's on the phone and is bored with the story of Oyster's cousin Lombard in Galena buying a catfish for 15 cents.  Then Lombard got in a fist-fight with the fella he bought it from and he poked him with the catfish upside the snoot. The fella threatened to call the police and hit Lombard with the fish. Lombard smacked the guy in the face with it. Then Lombard threw his shoes at him.  They later buried the hatchet and formed a beautiful friendship.

+ Uncle Fletcher receives a phone call.  Vic guesses it's Lou Webb, the organist that can play the pipe organ with a knife and fork instead of fingers and also…  It's Mis' McFolkerson calling to say she's found eight more books of newspaper clippings about Belvidere.  Webb was really the show's organist (1943-44).

+ Mis' Folkerston also runs a rooming house in the Gook's neighborhood (Mis' Harris runs another and so does Mis' Keller.)